PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5 /EMWNews/ -- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of

UPMC's Information Services (IS) Department, in partnership with Phoenix

Health Systems, Inc., is the first health care information services

provider in the world to achieve Level 2 certification by the eSCM

Certification Board of the IT Services Qualification Center at Carnegie

Mellon University (CMU).



    Children's Hospital's IS Department also is the first outsourced

information services provider in the United States to acquire eSCM Level 2

certification. The eSCM model focuses on eSourcing Services, which involves

using information technology to process and deliver services. The scope of

the certification includes help desk, desktop, application, integration,

project and portfolio management, infrastructure, network services and

information security.



    The implementation of this model will lead to long-term benefits

including reducing operating costs and improving service quality.



    "Our goal to develop a world-class information technology services

organization was developed to support the needs of physicians, clinicians

and business specialists as they use advanced technologies in the care of

our patients and families," said Jacque Dailey, Children's Hospital vice

president and chief information officer. "By implementing this model, we

are able to increase business efficiency and consistency. The eSCM model

proves that diligence and attention to detail can greatly benefit short-

and long-term objectives."



    Dailey added that adherence to this model will continue to foster an

environment of competitive advantage, innovation, flexibility, increased

responsiveness to meet unique and evolving IT requirements, and improvement

in service levels at Children's Hospital.



    Preparation for this evaluation started in December 2006. The rigorous

evaluation was conducted on-site by an authorized CMU organization for

three weeks this past spring. The evaluators, in conjunction with CMU

observers, reviewed 240 IT operational guidance documents, artifacts and

evidence.



    "This prestigious certification is possible because of the dedicated

leadership team and staff who are devoted to providing high-quality,

consistent services every day to carry out the mission of Children's

Hospital," Dailey said.



    For more information about Children's Hospital, please visit

http://www.chp.edu.